Signal storing device



Aug. 12, 1941. I CASPER I 2,252,060

SIGNAL STORING DEVICE Filed Deg. 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet. l

FIG. I

INVENTOR L. CA5 PER BY 2 q ATTORNEY Y Aug. 12, 1941. L. CASPER SIGNALSTORING DEVICE Filed Dec 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENR L. CASPER ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1941. CASPER 2,252,060

SIGNAL STORING DEVICE Filed Dec. 2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG, IO

F I 6. E2 54 v NIIIIIIIIIIIIII-IIII IT&

l llui INVENTOR L. CASPER M2 W I ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1941 UNITEDSTATES '1' OFFICE SIGNAL STORING DEVICE Application December 2, 1939,Serial No. 3ii7,229

18 Claims.

This invention relates primarily to telegraph apparatus and moreparticularly to apparatus for storing telegraph signals prior to theirtransmission over a line circuit. The invention is also applicable foruse in the storage of telegraph signals incident to the retransmissionthereof from one line circuit or channel of communication to another.

The present practice of storing telegraph signals of an appreciablenumber prior to their transmission over a line circuit is to employ akeyboard perforator which, as is well known in the art, causes a tape tobe perforated in accordance with the actuated keylevers of the keyboard.The perforated tape is then subsequently used to selectively operate atape transmitter which transmits signals representative of theperforations in the tape to the line circuit. Often times a keyboardtransmitter which causes the transmission of signal code groups at thetime of operating the keylevers is employed to send directly :to a linecircuit and obviously when such is the case it is necessary for a linecircuit to be available at the time the keyboard is operated. When asending circuit is not available the operator has to wait until one isavailable, such practice being obviously inefiicient in regards to theoperators time. Furthermore, when manually operated keyboards areemployed to transmit directly to a line circuit they invariably operateon the startstop principle and the speed of operation of the keyboard islimited to that of the line circuit which may be much less than what theoperator is capable of performing. In addition if the keyboard is notoperated at its maximum speed, the line circuit is likely to be idle forintervals between characters and the loss in line time in the course ofan extended length of time is likely to add up to an appreciable amount.

Accordingly, it is one of the primary objects of the present inventionto provide a novel manner of storing telegraph signals whereby they maybe stored for an indefinite period of time and subsequently transmittedover a sending circuit when such circuit is available.

The principles of the invention of storing telegraph signals are equallywell applicable to signals received over one line circuit which are tobe retransmitted over another line circuit and to the storage of signalsoriginating at any one point.

It is another object of the invention in accordance with the above toprovide a mechanism which enables more efilcient use of line time inthat the signals may be stored prior to their transmission and thentransmitted at the maximum carrying speed of the line.

A further object of the invention is to provide a storage means fortelegraph signals that may be used over and over again.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism forstoring and transmitting telegraph signals which is efiicient, capableof high speed operation, easily and cheaply manufactured and comprises aminimum number of parts.

These and further objects of the invention will be more apparent whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description thereof.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention an endless belt is employedwhich has a series of transverse rows of so called signal determiningholes therein. Associated with each of the signal determining holes orapertures in the belt is an individual shutter or vane and in oneposition these shutters cover their associated holes and prevent thepassage of a light beam through the holes in the belt, while in theirother position the holes are uncovered to allow the passage of a lightbeam therethrough. The shutters are selectively operated to uncovertheir associated holes or apertures and remain in their operatedpositions so that a transverse row of holes in the belt represent orform a group of code combinations which in turn represent a character inmuch the same manner as rows of holes in a perforated tape representcharacters. The beltwith the shutters set in various combinations thenpasses through a light beam which is in operative relation with a lightsensitive device, such as a photoelectric cell and a scanning disc whichsuccessively scans a transverse row of holes in the belt. In accordancewith the open or closed condition of the holes in the belt the lightbeam is allowed or prevented respectively from impinging upon thephotoelectric cell. The photoelectric cell in turn in the preferredembodiment controls a relay which, dependent upon the condition of thephotoelectric cell, controlls a transmission of electrical impulses to aline circuit. In this manner the open or closed positions of eachrespective hole in a transverse group of the same in the belt willcontrol the transmission of respective signals to a line circuit ofwhich the aforesaid photoelectric transmission apparatus is a part.

Provision is made for the formation of a loop in the belt between thepoint where the shutters are selectively operated and the point wherethe belt is scanned and thus the storage of the signals is effected.Individual stepping mechanism for the belt are employed in connectionwith the setting up or selecting position and the scanning positionwhich enables independent movement of the belt at these two points, andif preferred at different speeds. After the belt leaves the scanningposition the vanes or shutters are all reset to a normal position andthe belt is ready to again pass through the selective position. Thus thebelt may be used over and over again and the amount of the storage isdetermined by the length of the loop in the belt that can be formedbetween the selecting and scanning positions.

In one embodiment of the invention the vanes or shutters of the belt areselectively operated directly from a keyboard mechanism whereas in asecond embodiment the vanes or shutters are selectively operated inresponse to received signals actuating an electric responsive selectingdevice. Hence the second embodiment may be used in connection withrepeating or transmission of the telegraph signals from one circuit toanother.

A more thorough and complete understanding of the invention may be hadfrom the following detailed description thereof when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in the latter of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view with certain parts broken away of the embodimentof the invention wherein the vanes or shutters of the belt are operateddirectly from a keyboard;

Fig. 2 is, a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 22 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the cam sleeves together with partsof elements operated thereby which are employed to perform variousoperations of the mechanisms shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the belt advancingmechanisms;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3showing the manner in which a lever operable by the loop in the belt isemployed to. release .the scanning disc driving means and associatedapparatus;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially,

on line 6-6 of Fig. 3 showing the manner in which the frictionallydriven cam sleeve associated with the selecting position is released forone revolution at a time in conjunction with the operation of eachkeylever;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the elements employed to reset the beltshutters to normal;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the scanning disc showing its relation to thebelt;

7 Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a start-stop electroresponsiveselector and the elements controlled thereby for selectively operatingthe vanes of thebelt.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View of a part of the belt advancingmechanism associated with the apparatus of Fig. 10.

a Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus for resettingthe vanes when employed with the-apparatus of Fig. 10.

Fig; 13 Ban enlarged fragment of a section of the underside of the belt.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the belt; and

Fig. 15 is a view showing the relation of the light source, the scanningdisc, the belt and the photoelectric cell, together with the circuitscontrolled thereby.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of theinvention wherein a set of keylevers is adapted to selectively controlthe selective operation of the shutters on the belt will first bedescribed. The mechanism for selectively operating the shutters on thebelt and the transmitting or scanning mechanisms are preferably includedin a single unit, and in such an arrangement a common motor may beemployed to drive both mechanisms. However, if desired, the selectingand transmitting units may be separated as will hereinafter be apparent.

A base plate or bottom mounting plate 2! is arranged to support andserve as a mount for the various elements of the machine. Two brackets22 attached to the upper side of the base plate 2| have a series ofvertical slots therein which guide a set of notched horizontalpermutation members 23.. In the preferred embodiment of the inventionthe number of permutation members 23 is five, one for each unit of thesignaling code it being assumed that a five unit signaling code isemployed. If itisdesired, a six unit signaling code could be employed,then six permutations members will be necessary, the principles of theinvention beingv the same in either case. The permutation members 23 aremovable in the direction of their lengths in the brackets 22 to assumecombinations of settings in a manner hereinafter described. Arrangedabove the permutation members 23 are a series of horizontal keylevers 24which are pivotally supported adjacent their rear ends by means, notshown, and have at their forward ends key designating caps 26. The caps26 are arrangedin a manner similar to that of any well known telegraphkeyboard.

The upper sides of the permutation members 23 have formed therein aseries of sloped or beveled notches or surfaces, such as 21, with thenotches on each one of the permutation members different from that oneach of the others. The sloping surfaces 21 are arranged so that whenthe keylevers 24 are actuated in a downward direction, one at a time,the center portions thereof engage the surfaces 27 to move the members23 in the direction of their length. As the arrangement of the beveledsurfaces 21 is different in each of-the permutation members 23 theactuation of a keylever 25 causes them to be moved to the right and theleft in a combination representative of the actuated keylever in muchthe same manner asin'the type of keyboard generally employed intelegraph machines.

Above the keylevers 24 and suitably supported from the bottom mountingplate 2|, is a top mounting plate 28. Attached to the upper side of theplate 28 is a bracket 29 which has in the upper end thereof a horizontalpivot rod 3 I. Pivoted on the rod 3| intermediate with spacers 32 is aset of five -L-shaped selecting or selector levers 33, each of thelevers 33 being in substantially the same vertical plane as anassociated one of the permutation members 23. A depending arm of each ofthe'selecting levers 33 extends through a hole-in the top mounting plate28 so that the ends thereof are in operative relation with associatedones of the permutation members 23. Springs 34 attached to the selectinglevers 33 tend to pivot the same in a clockwise direction against a stop33 or into engagement with the right hand end of associated permutationmembers 23 as hereinafter described.

The lower end of the depending arms of each of the selector levers 33has a beveled surface 31 thereon adapted to cooperate with anotherbeveled surface 38 formed on the right hand end of associatedpermutation members 23. With a permutation member 23 in its left handposition, such as the first one shown in Fig. 2, there is a smallclearance between the beveled surfaces 37 and 38 and the clockwisemovement of the associated selector lever 33 by the attached spring 34is limited by the stop 36. Such a position of a selector lever 33 ishereinafter referred to as being in its unoperated position. When one ofthe permutation members 23 is moved to the right into its right handposition, the beveled surfaces 31 and 38 engage with each other andcause a slight pivoting movement in a counterclockwise direction of theassociated selecting lever 33. At the end of the movement of apermutation member 23 to the right, it has moved sufficiently to allow ahorizontal surface 39 at the lower end of the depending arm of the selector lever 33 to rest on another horizontal surface 4| on theassociated permutation member and such a position of a selector lever 33is hereinafter referred to as being in its operated position. Thepermutation members 23 have no normal position but remain in eithertheir right or left hand positions until moved by the actuation ofanother keylever. Thus, the selector levers 33 are operated in variouscombinations and remain in either one or the other of their twopositions in accordance with the right and left hand positions of thepermutation members 23. The manner in which the ones of the selectorlevers 33 that are positioned to an operated position control thesettings of the hereinbefore mentioned shutters on the transmitting beltwill presently be pointed out.

Attached to the upper side of the top mounting plate 28 in the sectionthereof above the keylevers 24 are two brackets 42 which have at theirupper ends channel members 43. The openings of the channel members 43face one another and serve as a guide for the transmitting beltindicated in general by reference numeral M. The channels 43 extendsubstantially the distance between a feed roller or wheel M for the belt34 and an idler roller or wheel 4! at'the left hand edge of the machine.The movement of the belt through the channels 63 is from left to rightand movement thereof through the channels is effected by the feed wheel45. As the belt as leaves the feed Wheel 43 it next encounters a secondfeed wheel 48 associatd with the scannin mechanism. The feed wheel isfeeds the belt through the scanning mechanism preferably positioned atthe ri ht of the keyboard mechanism. The belt is guided throu h thescanning mechanism by channels Ml similar to those ov r the le r/levers.A second idler roller or wheel 5i guides the belt at the right band ed eof the mechanism. The belt 44 in eaving the idler wheel 5! passesonderneath the complete mechanism back to the left hand side of themachine and over the roller ll.

The belt 44 is of substantial length. and a loo is allowed to formunderneath the machine between the rollers 41 and El which constitutes asupply. A hole is formed the top mounting plate 28 and the base plate 2!between the feed wheels 43 and 33 to allow a loop of tape to formtherebetween and such a loop constitutes the storage space in the beltor the place or location where signals set up in the belt are storedprior to the transmission thereof at the scanning position. Obviousarrangements may be made to store a considerable length of the belt inconjunction with the forming of a loop underneath the machine and alsoin conjunction with the loop adapted to form between the setting up andscanning positions. Such arrangements would save space in the event itwas desired to employ a belt of considerable length.

The belt 44 which may be of metal or fabric or any other suitablematerial that is sufficiently flexible is of substantial width and hasformed transversely of the length a series of so-called transmitting orsignal determining holes 52. The number of transmitting holes in eachtransverse section of the belt 44 is five, one for each of the selectorlevers 33 and as the belt passes over the selector levers 33 a hole 52in each transverse row is in substantial alignment with an associatedone of the selector levers 33. In alignment with each row of transversetransmitting holes 52 are feed holes 53 on each edge of the belt whichcooperate with axially extending pins on the feed rolls 46 and 48 toadvance the belt as hereinafter described. Associated with each one ofthe transmitting holes 52 of the belt 44 as best shown in Figs. 13 and14 are individual vanes or shutters 54. The shutters 54 are pivoted onpins or rivets, such as 56, in the belt and spring washers, such as 51,on the pins 53 tend to prevent the shutters from freely pivoting aboutthe pins 56 and prevent movement thereof at undesired times. Each of theshutters 54 have depending therefrom projections 58 which cooperate ashereinafter described with pins 59 extending from the upper side of theselector levers 33 to selectively operate the shutters 54. The normalposition of the shutters 55 is such that they completely cover theirassociated holes 52 and hence prevent passage of light therethrough whenin the normal position.

The selector levers 33 are so positioned relative to the belt M that thepins 59 therein are in alignment with an associated longitudinal row ofholes 52 in the belt. When one of the permutation members 23 is in itsleft hand position and the associated selector lever 33 in itsunoperated position the pin 59 thereon is not in the path of movement ofthe proiection 58 on its associated longitudinal row of shutters 54.Similarly with a permutation member in its right hand position, the pin59 on the associated selector lever 33 is in the path of movement of theprojections 58 on the shutters 54. Hence. as the belt 44 is advanced adistance equal to the distance between consecutive transverse rows ofholes in a manner hereinafter described in coniunction with theactuation of a key lever re, the permutation members 23 that happen tobe their left hand position. control their associated selector levers sothat the pins 59 thereon do not cooperate with the projections 53 on theshutters 54 while the pins 59 on the selectors associated withpermutation members in their right hand positions engage the projectionsto pivot the shutters and open associated holes 52. Thus depending uponthe position of the permutation members 23 at the time the belt M isadvanced or stepped the shutters 54 in the transverse row of the belt inoperative relation with the pins 59 are operated to uncover theirassociated. holes 52 or remain in their normal position. with theassociated hole closed. Accordingly, the positions of the shutters inconsecutive transverse rows represent according to a predeterminedarrangement, consecutively operated ones of the key levers 24. The

manner in which the belt 44 is advanced concommitantly with theoperation of each one of the key levers 24 will now be described inconjunction with the operation of the various other ements.

Suitably mounted in the rear of the machine is a motor M which furnishespower for the various functions of the machine. Coupled to the motorshaft 6|, Figs. 1 and 3, by a coupling 62 is a shaft 63 which issuitably journalled and supported from the base 2|. Mounted on the shaft63 are two separate frictionally driven cam assemblies indicated ingeneral by reference numerals 6|] and 65, hereinafter referred to as theselecting and scanning cam assemblies, respectively. The selecting camassembly 69 includes a sleeve 64, Fig. 8, which is loosely mounted onthe shaft 63 and has a flange 64' formed on the right hand end thereof.Mounted on the sleeve 64 between spacers 85 is a shutter resetting cam66, a stop arm 61 and a feed cam 68. A friction plate 69, threaded onthe left hand end of the sleeve 64, clamps the cams 66 to 68 in positionand to the sleeve for rotation therewith. Friction elements I9, such asfelt washers, engage the right and left hand faces of the flange 64' andthe friction plate 69, respectively, and tend to rotate the cam assembly68 with the shaft 63, however, the cam assembly is normally held at restin its normal rest position by an arrangement of elements hereinafterdescribed.

Pivotally mounted at its lower end on a fixed pivot 1|, Fig. 6, is avertical stop lever I2 which has a section I2 at the upper end benthorizontally and normally engaging the stop arm 61 to hold the camsleeve 94 at rest. A spring I6 attached to the stop lever I2 tends topivot the same in a clockwise direction and hold the lever in its normalposition against a stop TI. The lever is momentarily operated to releasethe cam assembly for one revolution at a time in conjunction with theoperation of a keylever 24. Whenever any one of the keylevers 24 isactuated, a universal bail 18 common to all of the keylevers and pivotedat I9 is rocked a slight amount in a counter-clockwise direction. Thismanner 'of pivoting of the universal bail I8 causes the substantiallyvertical arm thereof to move the trip lever 8| toward the left and ahook at the right hand end thereof engages a pin 82 in the stop lever I2to pivot the same and withdraw the section I2 from out of engagementwith the arm 61. Thereupon the sleeve 64 is free to rotate with theshaft 63 through the action of the friction elements. A bevelled surface83 on the trip lever B! coacts with a stationary pin 84 to disengage thehook on the right hand end of the lever 8| with the pin 82 near the endof the movement of the universal bail I8. This allows the spring I6 topivot the lever I2 back into its normal position where the upperhorizontal section I2 thereof is in the path of the stop arm 6'! to stopthe same after each revolution. Thus in conjunction with the operationof each of the key levers 24, the cam assembly 6!] is released for onerevolution and the functions performed during the revolution thereof bythe attached cams will presently be described.

In operative relation with the feed cam 68 on the sleeve 64 is asubstantially horizontal lever 86, best shown in Fig. 4, which ispivoted at 81 and has attached to the free end thereof an upwardlyextending pawl 88. The upper end of the pawl 88 cooperates with aratchet wheel 89 fixed to a rod 9| for rotation therewith to which isalso fixed the feed wheel 46. A spring 92 holds a follower 93 on thelever 88 in contact with the cam 68 while another spring 94 holds theupper end of the pawl 88 in engagement with the ratchet wheel 89. Duringeach revolution of the sleeve 64 the high part of the cam 68 causes thelever 96 to operate the pawl 88 which in turn rotates or steps theratchet wheel 89 and feed wheel 46 a distance equal to one tooth of thesaid ratchet. There are so many teeth on the ratchet wheel 89 as thereare pins in the feed wheel 48 and thus the belt 44 will be stepped adistance equal to the distance between two consecutive transverse rowsof holes therein on each revolution of the sleeve 64. A spring biasedretaining pawl 90 prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel 89 in a reversedirection.

Obviously it is necessary that all the shutters 54 be in a closedposition prior to their engagement with the pins 59 on the selectorlevers 33 and this resetting operation is accomplished by a so-calledresetting mechanism shown in Fig. 7 and controlled by the cam 66. Thecam 56 has in operative relation therewith a follower mounted on an armof a bell crank 96 pivoted at 91. Extending from the other one of thearms of the bell crank 96 is pin 98 to which is attached a link 99. Theother end of the link 98 engages the depending arm of a resetting leverI6! pivoted on rod I82. The upwardly extending arm of the reset lever I8| is U shaped and carries a rod I 63 in the uppermost part thereof.Throughout the above described elements the reset lever I 9| is causedto rock first in a clockwise direction and then in a counter-clockwisedirection. once for each revolution of the cam 65. During the clockwisemovement of the lever I!!! the rod I93 engages the projections 58 of anyof the shutters 54 that happen to be in an opened position in thetransverse row in operative relation therewith to close the same. Thusall the shutters 54 are positioned to their normal closed position asthe belt 44 moves past the resetting mechanism. The timing of the resetand feed cams 66 and 68 respectively on the sleeve 64 are such that thebelt 44 is preferably stationary during the operation of the reset leverI8 I. Thus on the actuation of each one of the key levers 24 the belt 44is advanced a distance equal to that between two consecutive transverserows of holes and during the movement thereof the row of shutters inoperative relation with the pins 59 on the selector levers 33 areselectively opened and another transverse row of holes ahead of the pins59 are closed by the resetting lever I9I.

As hereinbefore stated the belt 44 after leaving its selecting positiongoes to the scanning position where each transverse row of holes isscanned in a manner hereinafter set forth. The scanning operation iscontrolled by a hereinbefore mentioned scanning cam assembly 65 which isfrictionally driven from the shaft 83 through friction elements I96 inmuch the same manner as the cam assembly 69 is driven. Included in thecam assembly 65 is a stop arm I88, Fig. 5, a feed cam I09, Fig. 3, and agear III intermediate with spacers I85 and mounted on a sleeve H0.

The rotation of the assembly 85 is controlled by a lever I I2, Fig. 5,pivoted at I I3 and having a projection H4 which cooperates with thestop arm I88. The upper horizontal section of the lever H2 is inoperative relation with the section of the belt 44 between the feedwheels 48 and 48 of theselecting and scanning assembly respectively.When a loop in the belt 44 forms between the feed wheels 46 and 38, aspring I It attached to the lever H2 is normally allowed to pivot thesame in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 5 to withdraw theprojection I I4 from engagement with the stop arm I08 whereupon the camassembly 65 is free to rotate. The rotation of the cam assembly 65 maycontinue until the loop in the belt decreases to such a size as toreengage the horizontal section of the lever H2 and pivot the sameagainst the action of the spring III) to place the projection H4 againin the path of the stop arm I08 whereupon further rotation with the camassembly 35 is stopped. A magnet I Il may be associated with the lowerarm of the lever I I2 and the energization thereof will hold the leverin its normal position to prevent the release or to stop the camassembly 63 although there may be a loop in the belt between theselecting and scanning mechanisms. The magnet II'I may be controlled byswitching arrangements or other means and thereby prevent operation orthe starting of the scanning mechanism independent of the size of theloop, however the cam assembly 65 is invariably stopped when the size ofthe loop decreases to a predetermined minimum. Thus by use of the magnetIll an appreciable number of signals may be storedin the tape prior tothe start of scanning operations.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the scanning cam assembly65 is not necessarily stopped after each revolution but when oncestarted continues until the lever H2 is returned to its normal position.

i A cam follower MB, Fig. 3, is associated with the feed cam W3 and issupported adjacent the center of lever H3, one end of which is pivotallysupported at I2I. The other end of the lever I !9 carries a pawl I22which cooperates with a ratchet wheel I23 to rotate or step the same onetooth on each revolution of the cam I03. The ratchet wheel I 23 is fixedto a rod I24 to which is also fixed the scanning mechanism feed wheel48. Thus through the above described elements, which operatesubstantially like that shown in Fig. 4 for advancing the belt throughthe selecting mechanism, the belt is advanced through the scanningmechanism. A holding pawl H26 cooperates with the ratchet I23 to preventrotation thereof in a reverse direction.

The gear III of the cam assembly 35 meshes with anothergear i2l, whichis attached to the lower end of a shaft I28; The shaft I28 is suitablyjournaled in a, vertical position and has adjacent its upper end ascanning disc I29, Fig. 15. The gears I 21 and III have a one to oneratio and therefore the scanning disc I23 will make one revolution foreach revolution of the scanning cam assembly 33. 4

As shown in Fig. 15, a. light source NH and a photocell or similar lightsensitive device I32 are arranged to have the belt 414 and disc I29 passtherebetween. Formed in the disc I29 at different radii from the centeris a start pulse scanning hole I33, Fig. 9, and five intelligence orsignal scanning holes H3. Beginning with the start pulse scanning holeH33, the intelligence scanning holes I 33 are arranged substantiallyoneseventh of the angularity of the disc apart in a clockwise direction.As the holes in the disc I29 are at different radii each is adapted toscan a different longitudinal row or line of holes in the belt. The holeI33 scans one of the feed holes such as 53, Fig. I3, while the holes I34scan associated ones of the holes 52 in the belt.

As the feed holes 53 have no shutters, each time the start pulsescanning hole I33 in the disc scans its associated feed hole, light fromthe source MI is allowed to impinge upon the light sensitive device I32.At predetermined intervals thereafter each of the intelligence scanningholes i3 1 scan or pass over their associated holes in a transverse rowin the belt it and depending upon the position of the individualshutters in this particular transverse row of holes, light from thesource I3I is allowed or prevented from impinging upon the lightsensitive device I32. A mask I33 on the light source i3I has a slit inthe bottom thereof which permits light therefrom to only fall upon thetransverse row of holes in the belt i i in line with the axis of thescanning disc I29 while a similar slit in the upper side of the mask I31on the light sensitive device I32 permits only light from the lightsource I3i to impinge thereupon.

The light sensitive device I32 is arranged to control a relay I38, Fig.15, through an amplifier, if desired or necessary, in such a way thatthe relay I38 is energized when light impinges upon the light sensitivedevice. The tongue of the relay i533 is connected to battery and thebreak stop thereof connected to a line circuit. Thus for operated andnon-operated conditions of the relay I 38, the line circuit is openedand closed respectively. At the start of each revolution of the disc I29the start pulse scanning hole E33 allows light from the source Kit topass therethrough and the feed hole 53 to impinge the light sensitivedevice I32. This causes the relay I38 to operate to open the linecircuit and transmit a start impulse. Following the transmission of thestart pulse; the relay is operated or remains in its unoperated positionin accordance with the the position of the shutters 35 on the row ofholes being scanned. Accordingly, five impulses of open or closed linecondition are transmitted to the line following a start impulse. Thestart pulse scanning hole I33 and the last intelligence scanning holeI34 are on radii approximately twosevenths of the circumference of thedisc I29 apart, and during this time the relay I33 becomes deenergizedto close the line circuit and transmit a rest pulse following the codegroup. The time constant of the relay I38 is such that when operated itremains in an operated condition for a length of time substantiallyequal to that required for the disc to make one seventh of a revolution.Accordingly the relay I38 does not return to an unoperated positionbetween the scanning of two or more consecutive open holes.

Although the scanning of the belt has been described in a manner whereinstart-stop types of signals are transmitted on the scanning thereof, itwill be obvious that with apparent changes such as the omission of thestart pulse scanning hole and rearrangement of the other holes in thedisc multiplex type signals could be transmitted to the line circuit.

The high part on the cam I39, Fig. 3, is arranged to operate itsassociated mechanism to feed the belt 43 through the scanningarrangement after the outside intelligence scanning hole I34 scans itsassociated hole and before the start pulse scanning hole scans itsassociated hole.

Although in the above described arrangements both the selecting andscanning cam assemblies are driven from a common shaft to operate at thesame speed, they could be readily adapted to operate at different speedsby any one ofa number of well known arrangements. With the camassemblies operating at different speeds, the speed of operation of theselecting mechanism may be limited only to the ability of the operatorwhile the speed of the scanning mechanism is limited to the speed'of thesending circuit.

A modification of the invention wherein the selecting is controlled by asignal responsive device which in turn controls the opening of theshutters 54 will now be described. The signal responsive means employedis substantially similar in construction and operation to that disclosedin a patent to S. Morton et al., No. 1,745,633, issued February 4, 1930,and comprises in general a set of selector or selecting fingers I4I,Fig. 10, arrangedside by side between suitable guide plates, not shown.The left hand ends of the fingers I4I are rounded and are en gaged insocket joints in one of the arms of asso ciated bellcranks I42. Each ofthe fingers I4I have an associated bellcrank I42 which are all pivotedat I43 and have individual springs, such as I44, tending to pivot thesame in a clockwise direction to hold leftwardly extending arms thereofin engagement with a cam sleeve I46. spirally arranged on the cam sleeveI46 for rotation therewith are a series of cams I41, one individual toand in the same plane as each of the bellcranks I42. The cam sleeveranged to be frictionally driven from a shaft I48 in the usual mannerwhich in turn drives its rotative force from a motor M through gears I49and II. The starting and stopping of the cam sleeve I46 is controlled,through mechanism a not shown, by a selector magnet I52 operating inresponse to received signals and as is the usual practice the cam sleeveis released for one revolution at a time in conjunction with the receiptof each character representing cod-e group of signals. In addition tocontrolling the start-. ing and stopping of the cam sleeve I46 themagnet I52 controls the pivoting of an armature lever I53 pivoted atI54.

As the cam sleeve I46 rotates, the cams I41 successively engageassociated ones, of the bellcranks I42 to oscillate the same and in sodoing slide the selector fingers back and forth. The armature lever I53operates in timed relation with the bellcranks, I42 and has projectionsI56 and I51 adapted to cooperate with arms I58 and I59, respectively, ofthe selectors I4I. With the armature lever I53 in its retractedposition, the projection I51 thereof is in alignment with theprojections I58 on the selector fingers I4 I Similarly with the armaturelever I53 in its energized or operated position, as shown, theprojection I56 thereon is in alignment with the projections I58 on theselecting fingers I4I. Accordingly, as the cams I41 oscillate thebellcranks I42 to slide the selecting fingers back and forth either oneor the other of the projections I58 or I59 will engage associatedprojections I56 or I51 on the armature lever I53 to shift the right handend of the selector fingers I4I into engagement with either the upper orlower stop I68 or I66 respectively. Associated with the right hand endsof the selector fingers I4I are a set of pivotally mounted T-shapedlevers I6I, one individual to each selector lever MI. The levers I6I arepivotally mounted at I62 and are operated by the right hand ends of theselector levers I4I as the bellcranks I42 are returned to their normalpositions by the springs I44. Depending upon the position of thearmature lever I53 at the I46 is ar- 0 time the selecting fingers areoperated toward the left, and the right hand ends thereof engage eitherthe upper or lower arm of the levers I6I on the return movement to pivotthe levers I6I from one position to the other. Associated with each ofthe horizontal arms of the levers I6I are associated shutter operatinglevers I63 which are adapted for movement in a vertical direction byvirtue of vertical slots therein engaging horizontal pins I64. Thus,depending upon the operation of the selecting fingers I4I, the leversI63 are operated to either their upper or lower position in combinationsrepresentative thereof. Jockey springs, such as IE6, are associated witheach one of the shutter operating levers I63 which cooperate withnotches I61 adjacent the lower ends thereof to jockey th same in eithertheir upper or lower position. At the upper ends of the levers I63 arepins I68 which are substantially similar to the pins 59 on the selectorlevers 33, Fig. 2, and are adapted to be moved into the path of theprojections 58 on the shutters 54 on the belt 44. When a lever I63 is inits upper position the pin I68 thereon is in the path of the projection58 on the shutter in its associated longitudinal row of holes in thebelt, and with the lever I63 in its lower position the pin I68 is out ofthe path of the projection 58.

Fixed to the cam sleeve I46, Fig. 11, is a cam I68 employed to feed thebelt at the selecting position. A follower I1I on a lever I12 pivoted atI13 has a pawl I14 in the right hand end thereof adapted to cooperatewith a ratchet wheel I16 to step or rotate the same one tooth for eachrevolution of the cam I69. The ratchet wheel I16 is fixed to a shaft I11to which is also fixed for rotation therewith a feed wheel I18, Fig. 10,having pins I19 therein adapted to engage the feed holes of the belt toadvance the same. A retaining pawl I8I, Fig. 11, cooperates with theratchet wheel I16 to prevent rotation thereof in the reverse direction.

A second cam I82, Fig. 12, rotatable with the cam sleeve I46 has anassociated follower I83 located on the upper end of a lever I84pivotally mounted at I86. The lower end of the lever I84 has attachedthereto the right hand end of a link I81, the left hand end of which isattached to a resetting lever I88. The resetting lever I88 is pivotallysupported at I88 and for each revolution of the cam I82 the lever I88oscillates to reset all the shutters 54 to their normal closed position.The timing of the cams I69 and I82, Figs. 11 and 12, are such that theoperation of their associatedmechanisms do not interfere.

By means of the above described mechanisms the belt is advanced thedistance between consecutive transverse rows of holes therein and duringthe advancement thereof the shutters 54 are selectively operated touncover associated ones of the holes in accordance with the operation ofthe selector mechanism. Accordingly, successive transverse rows of holesin the belt 44 represent successive groups of code combinations. Thebelt 44 on leaving the feed wheel I18 associated with the selectingmechanism passes to the scanning mechanism, provision being made for theformation of a loop between the two units the same as'in the keyboardcontrolled selector. The scanning mechanism associated with the signalresponsive operated selector mechanism as shown in Fig: -10 may besubstantially similar to that hereinbefore described associated with thekeyboard operated selector, the scanning mechanism of Fig. 10 comprisinga feed wheel I9I,

a scanning disc I92, a light source I93 and a light sensitive deviceI94.

It is obvious, of course, that various other modifications of theapparatus shown and described herein may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the essential attributes of the invention and it isdesired, therefore, that only such limitations be placed thereon as areimposed by the prior art or are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a signal storage telegraph device for storing code signals, anendless flexible storage member having a series of transverse rows ofapertures therein, individual shutters associated with each one, of saidapertures, means for moving said flexible storage member, meansindependent of the movement of said storage member for successivelypositioning transverse rows of said shutters therein to normal positionsand means for selectively operating said shutters from said normalposition whereby opened and closed apertures in successive transverserows of said storage member represent code signals.

2. In a signal storage telegraph device for storing code signals, anendless flexible storage member having a series of transverse rows ofapertures therein, individual shutters associated with each one of saidapertures, means for successively positioning transverse rows ofshutters in said storage member to normal positions, a keyboardmechanism employing a set of keylevers, and solely mechanical meanscontrolled by said keyboard mechanism for selectively positioning saidshutters from said normal position whereby successive transverse rows ofopened and closed apertures in said flexible member representsuccessively operated keylevers of said keyboard mechanism.

3. In a signal storage telegraph device for storing code signals, anendless flexible storage member having a series of transverse rows ofapertures therein, individual shutters associated with each one of saidapertures, means for moving said storage member, means operativeindependently of the movement of said storage member for successivelypositioning transverse rows of shutters therein to normal positions, asignal responsive device and means controlled by said signal responsivedevice during movement of said storage member for selectively movingsaid shutters from said normal position whereby opened and closedapertures in successive transverse rows in said flexible memberrepresent successive operations of said signal responsive device.

In a cyclically operable signal storage telegraph device for storingcode signals, an endless flexible storage member having a series oftrans-' verse rows of apertures therein, individual shutters associatedwith each one of said apertures, means operative independently ofmovement of said flexible storage member for successively positioningtransverse rows of shutters therein to normal positions, means formoving said storage member a predetermined amount during each cycle ofoperation of said device, and mechanical means operative on saidshutters during and dependent upon the movement of said storage memberfor selectively operating said shutters from said normal positionwhereby opened and closed apertures in successive transverse rows ofsaid storage member represent code signals.

5. In a cyclically operable signal storage telegraph device for storingcode signals, an endless flexible storage member having a series of.transverse rows of apertures therein, individual shutters associatedwith each one of said apertures, means for successively positioningtransverse rows of shutters in said storage member to normal positions,a keyboard mechanism comprising a plurality of keylevers, a first meanscontrolled by the operation of any one of said keylevers at a time toinitiate the operation of said device wherein said storage member isadvanced a predetermined distance, a second means controlled by theoperation of any one of said keylevers for selectively operating saidshutters during the movement of said storage member whereby successivetransverse rows of opened and closed apertures in said flexible memberrepresent successively operated key levers of said keyboard mechanism.

6. In a signal storage telegraph device for storing code signals, anendless flexible storage member having a series of transverse rows ofapertures therein, individual shutters associated with each one of saidapertures, means for intermittently advancing said storage member, meansoperative independently of the advancement of said storage member forsuccessively moving transverse rows of shutters in said storage memberto normal closed positions, a signal responsive device and meansoperative during the movement of said storage member as controlled bysaid signal responsive device for selectively opening said shutterswhereby opened and closed apertures in successive transverse rows insaid flexible member represent successive operations of said signalresponsive device.

7. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of permutation bars, a set ofselectors,

one individual to each of said permutation bars and to each longitudinalrow of apertures in said medium, means for operating said selectorstoone or the other of two operated positions in accordance with theoperation of said permutation bars and representative of actuated onesof said key levers, means operative following the operation of saidselectors to advance said medium a distance equal to that between twoconsecutive transverse rows of apertures, and means operative by saidselectors during the advancement of said medium for selectivelyoperating said shutters whereby opened and closed apertures intransverse rows in said medium represent actuated key levers.

8. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of permutations bars, a set of keylevers for controlling the operation of said permutation bars, a set ofselectors, one individual to each of said permutation bars and to eachlongitudinal row of apertures in said medium, means for operating saidselectors to one or the other of two operated positions in accordancewith the operation of said permutation bars and representative of theactuated one of said key levers, medium advancing means, means operativefollowing the operation of said selectors to render said mediumadvancing means operative to advance said medium a distance equal tothat between two consecutive transverse rows of apertures, andmeans'dependent upon the position of said selectors during theadvancement of said medium by said advancing means' for'selectivelyoperating shutters associated with said selectors in one of saidpositions relative to said apertures whereby opened and closed ones ofsaid apertures in transverse rows in said medium represent actuated onesof said key levers.

9. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of permutation bars, a set of keylevers for controlling the operation of said permutation bars, a set ofselectors in operative relation with said belt, one individual to eachof said permutation bars and to each longitudinal row of apertures insaid medium, means for operating said selectors to one or the other oftwo operated positions in accordance with the operation of saidpermutation bars and representative of the actuated one of said keylevers, means for advancing said medium, means operative following theoperation of said selectors to advance said medium a distance equal tothat between two consecutive transverse rows of apertures, meansoperated by said selectors in one of said positions to engage associatedones of said shutters in the transverse row in operative relationtherewith to change the position thereof during the advancement of saidmedium whereby said shutters close or open said apertures in thetransverse row in operative relation with said selectors in permutationsrepresentative of the actuated key lever.

10. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of permutation bars, a set of keylevers for controlling said permutation bars, a set of selectors oneindividual to each of said permutation bars and to each longitudinal rowof apertures in said storage medium, said selectors having twopositions, one in the path of movement of said shutters and the otherout of the path of movement of said shutters, a source of power, meansoperative in response to the actuation of a key lever to selectivelyposition said selectors into one or the other of said two positions inaccordance with an actuated key lever and release said source of powerto advance said medium to move a transverse row of shutters past saidselectors and means operable by said selectors in the path of movementof said shutters during the advancement of said medium to change theposition of said shutters in respect to the associated apertures wherebyopened and closed apertures in the transverse row moved past saidselectors represent the actuated key lever.

11. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt witha plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a'shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of permutation bars, a set of keylevers for controlling said permutation bars, a set of selectors oneindividual to each of said permutation bars and to each longitudinal rowof apertures in said storage medium, said selectors having twopositions, one in the path of movement of said shutters and the otherout of the path of movement of said shutters, a source of power, meansoperative in response to the actuation of a key lever to selectivelyposition said selectors into one of the other of said two positions inaccordance with an actuated key lever and release said source of powerto advance said medium to move a transverse row of shutters past saidselectors and means controlled by said selectors in the path of movementof said shutters and operated solely by said source of power during theadvancement of said medium to change the position of said shutters inrespect to the associated apertures whereby opened and closed aperturesin transverse rows moved past said selectors represent actuated keylevers.

12. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of permutation bars, a set of keylevers for controlling said permutation bars, a set of selectors oneindividual to each of said permutation bars and to each longitudinal rowof apertures in said storage medium, said selectors having twopositions, one in the path of movement of said shutters and the otherout of the path of movement of said shutters, a source of power, a webadvancing means, a shutter resetting means for moving said shutters tonormal positions, said resetting means located ahead of said selectorsrelative to the direction of movement of said web, means operative inresponse to the actuation of a key lever to selectively position saidselectors into one or the other of said two positions and release saidsource of power to operate said resetting means and move a row ofshutters past said selectors, and means operated by said selectors inthe path of movement of said shutters during advancement of said mediumto selectively move said shutters from said normal position wherebyopened and closed apertures in the transverse row moved past saidselectors represent the actuated key lever.

13. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a signal responsive device comprisingaset of selectors having two positions, one of said positions being inthe path of movement of said shutters and the other out of the path ofmovement of said shutters, means controlled by said signal responsivedevice to set said selectors in accordance with received signals, asource of power, a web advancing means, a shutter resetting meanspositioned ahead of said selectors relative to the direction of movementof said web, means operative following the positioning of said selectorsfor releasing said source of power to operate said resetting means andsaid web advancing means to advance a row of shutters past saidselectors, means operated by said selectors during such movement of saidshutters to selectively operate the same whereby opened and closedapertures in said web represent according to a predetermined arrangementsignals received on said signal responsive device.

14. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a signal responsive device comprising aset of selectors having two positions, one of said positions being inthe path of movement of said shutters and the other out of the path ofmovement of said shutters, means controlled by said signal responsivedevice to set said selectors in accordance with received signals, asource of power, a web advancing means, a shutter resetting meanspositioned ahead of said selectors relative to the direction of movementof said web, means operative following the positioning of said selectorsfor releasing said source of power to operate said resetting means andsaid web advancing means to reset a row of. shutters and advance a rowpast said shutters respectively, means determined by the position ofsaid selectors and operated solely by said source of power duringmovement of said Web to selectively operate said shutters: wherebyopened and closed apertures in successive transverse rows in said webrepresent according to a predetermined arrangement successive groups ofcode signals on said signal responsive device.

15. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessweb or belt with a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures beingin transverse and longitudinal rows in said medium, a shutter individualto each one of said apertures, a set of selectors selectivelypositionable into one or the other of two positions, one of saidpositions being in the path of movement of said shutters and the otherout of the path of movement thereof, means operative concomitantly withthe positioning of said selectors for advancing said medium to move atransverse row of shutters past said selectors and means operativeduring the advancement of said medium to selectively position saidshutters in accordance with the position of said selectors.

16. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessbelt, said belt having a series of transparent sections therein arrangedin transverse and longitudinal rows, individual shutters associated witheach of said transverse sections adapted to be moved to control thepassage of light therethrough, a selecting means for selectivelypositioning said shutters to prevent or permit passage of light throughassociated transparent sections whereby successive transverse rowsthereof represent code signals, means for moving said medium relative tosaid selecting means, a transmitting mechanism located adjacent saidselecting means, said medium being arranged to move from said selectingmeans to said transmitting mechanism, a light source and a lightsensitive device in said transmitting mechanism, means controlled bylight from said source passing through transparent sections of saidmedium not covered by said shutters for controlling transmission ofsignals from said transmitting mechanism, means for forming a loop insaid medium between said selecting means and said transmitting mechanismand means controlled by the size of said loop for initiating andstopping the operation of said transmitting mechanism.

1'7. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessbelt, said belt having a series of transparent sections therein arrangedin transverse and longitudinal rows, individual shutters associated witheach of said transverse sections adapted to be moved to control thepassage of light therethrough, a selecting means for selectivelypositioning said shutters to prevent or permit passage of light throughassociated transparent sections whereby successive transverse rowsthereof represent code signals, means for moving said medium throughsaid selecting means, a transmitting means in spaced relation with saidselecting means including a light source, a light sensitive device, amedium advancing means and a rotatable scanning disc, means for forminga loop in said medium between said selecting means and said transmittingmechanism, means controlled by said loop for controlling the operationof said medium advancing means and the rotation of said scanning disc,means operative on the rotation of said scanning disc to allow lightfrom said source to successively scan a transverse row of transparentsections in said medium, means determined by the positions of saidshutters to control the passage of said light through said transparentsections to said light sensitive device and means responsive to saidlight sensitive device for transmitting code signals representative ofthe conditions of said shutters in successive transverse rows on saidmediiun.

18. In a signal storage device, a storage medium comprising an endlessbelt, said belt having a series of transparent sections therein arrangedin transverse and longitudinal rows, individual shutters associated witheach of said transverse sections adapted to be moved to control thepassage of light therethrough, a selecting means for selectivelypositioning said shutters to prevent or permit passage of light throughassociated transparent sections whereby successive transverse rowsthereof represent code signals, means for moving said medium throughsaid selecting means, a transmitting means in spaced relation with saidselecting means including a light source, a light sensitive device, amedium advancing means and a rotatable scanning disc, means for forminga loop in said medium between said selecting means and said transmittingmechanism, means controlled by the size of said loop for controlling theoperation of said medium advancing means and the rotation of saidscanning disc, a sending circuit, means controlled by light from saidsource passing through said transparent section in said medium forcontrolling said light sensitive device to transmit code signalsrepresentative of the positions of said shutters in successivetransverse rows of said medium and means for maintaining said sendingcircuit in a predetermined condition on the stopping of said scanningdisc.

LOUIS CASPER.

